Remember the original M3 we talked about? BMW was keen to outperform Mercedes at the time and it did by bringing an endurance racing engine into a tiny E30, with the exception of cutting off 2 cylinders.

This car had everything and it was surprisingly reliable for daily driving. The engine it was based on was built for endurance races and it could well handle daily driving. BMW knew that people wanted something more than just a sporty coupe so they had to give life to a new sports car that did both, drive fast and accommodate 5, this is how the first 535i came to be.

BMW M 535i (E12) 1979 - 1981

BMW introduced the M535i, a high-performance version of their 5 Series, which was first launched in 1972. This car looked like a typical 5 Series but had a powerful engine and special parts that made it stand out.

The first 535i, which is not exactly an M car, was brought to life in 1979. BMW already had a good body from the 5-series E12 and an already superior engine from their M1 car, and guess what. BMW shakes hands with their Motorsport division to put the two together.

From the outside, the M535i looked similar to the regular 5 Series, with the same four-headlight design and black grille. However, it had a new plastic bumper with a black stripe and an extended lower apron with corner turn signals.

The car also had a lower ground clearance and unique multi-spoke alloy wheels. Unlike other 5 Series models, it had a thick rubber spoiler at the back and optional red, dark blue, and light blue stripes. The twin exhaust pipes were placed in the center of the rear.

Inside, the M535i featured Recaro sports seats with high bolsters and a center console. The driver had a special instrument panel with a tachometer marked up to 6,000 rpm and a speedometer marked up to 150 mph.

BMW M5 (E28) 1985 - 1988

The first BMW 5 Series to wear the M5 badge was the 1985 E28, combining sportscar performance with a luxurious four-door sedan design.

After BMW stopped producing the M535i in 1981, customers eagerly awaited a similar successor. It wasn't until late 1985, nearly four years after the unveiling of the new 5 Series in 1981, that the M5 made its debut.

This version offered more power, a distinctive exterior trim, and a luxurious cabin, setting it apart from its predecessors. BMW produced 2,241 units of the E28 M5 between 1985 and 1988. At first glance, the E28 M5 looked similar to other E12 models, with its four-headlight design.

However, it featured a unique black grille with a small M5 chromed badge and the signature red, dark-blue, and light-blue stripes of BMW Motorsport. The lower bumper housed rectangular fog lamps and turn signals, with an additional apron for a sportier look.

Under the hood, the M5 featured the renowned M88/3 inline-six engine from the M1, producing 282 horsepower from its 3.5-liter displacement. Power was delivered to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox and a limited-slip differential. BMW Motorsport also equipped the M5 with a stiffer suspension and gas-filled struts, enhancing its driving dynamics.

BMW M5 (E34) 1988 - 1995

In 1988, BMW introduced the third generation of the 5 Series and quickly launched the high-performance M5 version the same year. BMW knew the M5 would be popular, so they made sure to upgrade it significantly from its predecessor.

The E34 M5 had a distinctive look that was subtly different from the regular 5 Series models. The front featured standard lenses for the low-beam headlights and a lower bumper with a unique design, including dual-nozzle washers for the headlights, squared fog lamps, and a silver lip spoiler.

The E34 M5 started with a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated engine paired with a five-speed manual transmission, producing 315 PS (311 hp). This version was the only one available in the U.S., with 8,344 units made. In 1991, BMW introduced a larger 3.8-liter engine for the 1992 model year, producing 340 PS (335 hp).

This version continued with the five-speed manual until 1994, when it was upgraded to a six-speed gearbox. All versions featured a limited-slip differential for improved acceleration.

BMW M5 (E39) 1998 - 2004

Three years after introducing the E39 5 Series, BMW launched the most powerful version of it, the M5. This model was the first to replace the inline-six engine with a V8, marking a significant shift in the M5's evolution.

The third generation M5 was the first to be mass-produced on an assembly line instead of being hand-crafted by BMW Motorsport. Unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 1998 and refreshed for the 2000 model year, the E39 M5 offered a blend of performance, comfort, and luxury in a four-door sedan.

It was the last M5 to feature a six-speed manual transmission and a mechanical limited-slip differential. Despite later models being faster, many enthusiasts consider the E39 M5 the best due to its balanced package.

The E39 M5, designed by Joji Nagashima, had a distinctive look. The front featured lenses covering the four headlights, similar to the rest of the E39 range.

Under the hood, the E39 M5 housed the renowned S62B50 V8 engine, producing 400 PS (394 hp) from its five-liter displacement. Power was sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. The M5 could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under five seconds, which was impressive for the time. BMW limited the top speed to around 155 mph (250 kph).

BMW M5 (E60) 2005 - 2010

In 2004, BMW introduced the fifth generation of the M5, marking a bold departure from its more subtle predecessors. This version was flamboyant, making a statement with its aggressive design and advanced technology.

The E60 M5 was the most powerful version of the E60 5 Series and stood out significantly from its siblings. It wasn’t just about the engine and suspension; the entire car, from its look to its interior and technical features, was different.

The heart of the E60 M5 was its naturally aspirated V10 engine, designed by the same team behind BMW’s Formula 1 V10 engine. This powerhouse was paired with a seven-speed SMG, which could be adjusted for faster or slower gear changes. Some markets also offered a six-speed manual transmission.

The M5 featured an electronically controlled limited-slip differential and could be equipped with ceramic brakes. BMW also offered an option to remove the speed limiter for those seeking even higher performance.

BMW M5 (F10) 2011 - 2013

In 2010, BMW launched the sixth generation of the 5 Series, and the following year, the M5 version debuted, marking a new chapter in the model's history.

Unlike previous M5 models, which had naturally aspirated engines powering the rear wheels, the 2011 M5 introduced turbocharging and an all-wheel-drive system. While not as flamboyant as the V10-powered E60 M5, the F10 M5 still made a strong visual statement. Designed by Jacek Fröhlich in 2006 under Chris Bangle’s supervision, the car’s design eventually won over critics.

The 2011 M5 was the first M5 to feature a turbocharged engine. Its 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 produced ten percent more power than the previous V10, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automated gearbox instead of the single-clutch system.

This generation was also the first to include an all-wheel-drive system. These upgrades allowed the M5 to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 4.4 seconds, with a top speed capped at 155 mph (250 kph).

BMW M5 (F90) 2017 - 2024

The sixth generation of the BMW M5, introduced in 2017, quickly set a new standard in the sports sedan segment with its powerful engines and rich features.

Since the first M5 in 1984, BMW has led the way in high-performance mid-size sedans. While large engines in sedans were common in the U.S., this was groundbreaking in Europe. Over the years, the M5 evolved from naturally aspirated engines to turbo charged power plants. The E60 M5 had a 5.0-liter V10, but later models, including the F10 and F90, featured a 4.4-liter V8 with twin turbos.

The F90 M5 was powered by a revised 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, carried over from its predecessor but improved for better performance. It was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission that sent power to all four wheels.

Drivers could select various modes, including one that directed all torque to the rear wheels for a more traditional M5 driving experience. A standard limited-slip differential enhanced handling, while optional carbon ceramic brakes offered superior stopping power.

For its last few model years, the BMW M5 received a facelift and feature updates, but no powertrain changes.